Sent off to serve in New York on Thursday

This morning during worship we commissioned our New York City Mission team. It was very nice. We prayed with them and promised to cover them all week long.

The team will leave on Wednesday night and make their first stop at the Salt and Sea Mission on coney Island. The mission was established in 1987 as a statement of Christian faith by Debbe Santiago. While Debbe was still homeless, the Lord led her to minister to homeless people under the boardwalk in Coney Island with food, clothing and the Bible.

The outreach program expanded to Debbe Santiago's home. Homeless men and women were able to take showers, have dinners and Bible studies. Debbe also allowed homeless women to live there. The street ministry was conducted out of a shopping cart filled with food, clothing and compassion for those whose only shelter and comfort were found under the boardwalk and in subway stations.

The need for a permanent facility in Coney Island became apparent, and a small apartment was acquired. Having outgrown that space, the Mission relocated in 1991 to a larger building where it is presently housed. By using the mission facilities, working in the streets, the subways, and having an outreach program to families in a Hotel that houses homeless families, the Salt and Sea Mission Church, Inc. provides the following services:

Food Pantry: Feeding approximately 28000 meals monthly.

Hotel Ministry: Special dinners and events each month and at holidays, feeding approximately ninety-five homeless families at each dinner. Families participate in Sunday worship services and furniture ministry and youth programs. Families receive sponsorship for apartments with Project Domiciles and follow-up for one year after getting their own apartments.

Russian Ministry: Once a week on Wednesdays

Spanish Ministry: Once a week on Fridays

Christian Fellowship: Bible studies are given five times weekly. Discipleship classes are offered separately for children and adults once a week. Prayer meetings are conducted five times a week. The Mission also provides Sunday School, and performs weddings, infant dedications and funerals.

Other Vital Ministries: There are Overcomers meetings once a week. Salt and Sea Mission Church, Inc. also offers drug and alcohol counseling, referrals to detoxification programs, job training, legal assistance, medical and dental, HIV/AIDS entitlement, literacy classes, long term residential programs, ESL classes for Russian and Spanish speaking people, reading classes for children, and outreach and food distribution to senior citizen apartment buildings

Along with these programs, there is also social service and housing advocacy, TB and HIV testing, distribution of clothing, blankets, toiletries, and assistance through the disbursement of donated furniture and household items. Salt and Sea Mission Church, Inc. is also used as a mailing address and approximately 11,000 pieces of mail are collected yearly.

The Youth Development Program offers summer camp, special excursions, Bible studies, arts and crafts, on-site recreational facilities, one-on-one counseling, after-school homework sessions, junior choirs, adopt a child, new back to school clothing, recreational time, Christmas gifts and knitwear, and new Easter and Christmas clothing.

The staff of the Salt and Sea Mission Church, Inc. are all volunteers. All food, clothing and funds of the mission are obtained through charitable contributions and grants. Tax-deductible gifts are welcome.

We can't wait to get there. The rest of the week includes work in food pantries, a prayer station and visits to give encouragement to firefighters around Ground Zero and in mid-town Manhattan. Keep us in your prayers.

Cal